"Ryan, get up!"
Ryan, groaning from the pain, stood up after recovering slightly and frowned as he looked at Brian on the other side of the platform.
His pain wasn't just from the blows he'd taken in this fight; it was a lingering issue from secret battles he had fought with boys from other schools over the past few days.
Because of this, Ryan was not at his best. To be fair, the competitors in this tournament were incredibly skilled—the best their schools had to offer—so Ryan didn't feel too bad about sustaining injuries.
The referee, ensuring Ryan had recovered enough, did not resume the fight immediately. Only when he was sure Ryan was ready did he start the match again.
"Ready? Fight!"
In an instant, Brian charged forward again, but this time Ryan countered, launching an aggressive barrage of close-range attacks. This shift in tactics put Brian at a disadvantage as the fight quickly became more dangerous.
Knowing he couldn't risk taking more damage, Ryan chose to stay in close quarters, a strategy that proved effective over the next few minutes.
Ryan's strikes were powerful, but he realized simple defenses and quick attacks wouldn't be enough to secure victory. At one point, he aimed for Brian's upper body, preparing to take the fight to the next level.
Frowning with concentration, Ryan aligned his fingers and, like a spear, pierced through Brian's defense, landing a powerful blow to his torso. Brian had no choice but to lower his hands to protect himself.
Seizing the opportunity, Ryan unleashed a high kick, striking Brian's face with unexpected agility. The kick caught Brian completely off guard.
"Point! Winner!" The referee, seeing Brian unconscious, immediately ended the fight.
Cheers erupted from the crowd as Ryan was declared the winner. However, some noticed the irregularity in Ryan's movements as he descended the platform stairs.
"Will he recover?" Max, happy for his friend's victory, couldn't help but worry about Ryan, who now appeared to be nursing an injured leg.
He wasn't sure how it had happened, but it was concerning to know that Ryan would have to face Jack—a brutal opponent—in this condition.
"The boy sustained repeated blows to that leg earlier, and now, with these new hits, the pain is starting to seep into his muscles," Daniel observed as Ryan was helped off the platform by Johnny.
Although the injuries on Ryan's body weren't too severe, it was strange to see him hurt so easily.
Now that the quarterfinal match between Max and Joey was about to begin, Max needed to focus. He couldn't afford to check on Ryan and offer any kind of emotional support.
"I'm sure he'll be ready for the next fight..." Max reassured himself, convinced that Ryan wouldn't back down. He was certain Ryan would fight, and his chances of winning were just as high as they were in the original plan.
"It's your turn. Time to step up!" A staff member approached the Cobra Kai area, signaling Max to make his way to the platform.
Max turned his head, throwing a glance toward Joey of Miyagi-Do, who glared back at him with intense hatred.
Joey, dressed in his characteristic white uniform, had a standout feature—his braided hairstyle, which made him look undeniably cool.
As for Max, his mind was already working on strategies to defeat this annoying rival. He knew Joey had a tactical, fast-paced fighting style.
Joey's fights excelled in this aspect, allowing him to easily take down opponents, even defeating a Cobra Kai student with a solid kick to the face. His combat skills were undoubtedly something to take seriously.
Max's previous loss to Joey weeks ago had demonstrated just how skilled Joey was. Despite losing, Joey had landed countless hits and never backed down, refusing to be defeated easily.
Glancing at his opponent, Max shifted his gaze to the crowd and spotted Devon. She raised her fist in a gesture of unwavering support.
"I'll win!" Max nodded and stepped into his assigned position.
With both competitors ready, the referee signaled the start of the semifinal match—just one step away from the long-awaited final.
"Ready? Fight!"